Brief curriculum vitae:
Henno Viljoen is an experienced advocate. He has appeared in the Supreme Court of Appeal, Labour Appeal Court, and High Court, handling complex matters across contract law, employment law, municipal governance, and arbitration. His practice includes numerous reported judgments, contributing to precedent in these fields.
He holds a B.Iuris (cum laude) and LL.B from North-West University, with additional study at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, where he contributed to an EU research project on technical standards in Dutch law.
Henno has served as an Acting Judge of the High Court of South Africa, Acting Judge of the Labour Court of South Africa, and Commissioner of the Small Claims Court, reinforcing his depth of adjudicative experience.
Beyond practice, he is active in mentoring junior advocates, training pupils, and staff oversight in Group 21, reflecting his commitment to professional development within the Bar.
With over two decades in practice, Henno is valued for his procedural insight, legal drafting, and strategic litigation approach, making him a trusted advocate and arbitrator in high-stakes disputes
Principal reported cases:
South African Law Reports
1. Choice Decisions v MEC, Department of Development, Planning and Local Government, Gauteng, and another 2003 (6) SA 280 (W) – Administrative law.
2. Firstrand Bank Ltd t/a First National Bank v Seyffert and another and three similar cases 2010 (6) SA 429 (GSJ) – Consumer credit law.
3. Siemens Telecommunications (Pty) Ltd v Datagenics (Pty) Ltd 2013 (1) SA 65 (GNP) – Security for costs by a company.
All South African Law Reports
4. Shanduka Resources (Pty) Ltd v Western Cape Nickel Mining (Pty) Ltd and others [2017] 2 All SA 279 (WCC) – Mining law.
5. Meechan and another v VGA Chartered Accountants Partnership t/a PKF (VGA) Chartered Accountants [2020] 2 All SA 510 (GJ) – Exception, delictual claim for pure economic loss.
Industrial Law Journal
6. Strauss & another v Plessey (Pty) Ltd (2002) 23 ILJ 175 (LC) – Retrenchment.
7. Nokeng Tsa Taemane Local Municipality & another v Metsweding District Municipality & others (2003) 24 ILJ 2179 (LC) – Transfer of a business as a going concern.
8. Johannesburg City Parks v Toli NO (2012) 33 ILJ 1456 (LC) – Compensation in cases of unfair dismissal.
9. Vanchem Vanadium Products (Pty) Ltd v National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa obo members (2017) 38 ILJ 926 (LAC) – Appeal. Application of a collective agreement.
Butterworths Labour Law Reports
10. Xakaza v Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and others [2013] 7 BLLR 731 (LC) – Protected Disclosures Act.
11. Imvula Quality Protection and others v University of South Africa [2017] 11 BLLR 1139 (LC) – Transfer of a business as a going concern.
SAFLII & Other Reports
12. Modisane v Kgwatisi [2003] ZANWHC 27 – Matrimonial property law.
13. FirstRand Bank Limited v Makaleng [2016] ZASCA 169 – Appeal. Consumer credit law.
14. Sasol South Africa (Pty) Ltd v Murray & Roberts Limited [2021] ZASCA 94 – Appeal. Construction law.
Appointments:
1. Acting Judge of the High Court of South Africa
2. Acting Judge of the Labour Court of South Africa
3. Commissioner of the Small Claims Court
4. Advocate of the High Court of Lesotho.
Education:
B.Iuris (cum laude)(NWU) LL.B (NWU and Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam)
Languages:
Afrikaans, English
Year of Admission:
2000
Email:
henno@hennoviljoen.co.za
Contact Number:
083 400 1620
Practice areas:
- Administrative law
- Company law, contract law
- General commercial
- Insolvency
- Labour law
- Local government
- Shipping law
